Stroke Brain Infarction Cerebrovascular Accident Intracerebral Hemorrhage Vascular Insult to the Brain A vascular insult to the brain, commonly referred to as a stroke or cerebrovascular accident, occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted, leading to tissue damage and neurological deficits. This condition can result from either ischemia (lack of blood flow) or hemorrhage (bleeding) within the brain.